DISABLED people have attacked Kirklees Council chiefs who blamed the cost of improving access for closing offices.

In the Examiner last month Simon Rogers, chief executive officer of Kirklees Neighbour Housing, said three offices would have to close because of new rules about access brought in by the Disability Discrimination Act.

The law came into force in 1995 and said that by October 2004 disabled people should have the same rights of access as the able-bodied.

Mr Rogers is now saying that the disability discrimination law is only a very small part of the reason for closure.

He said comments made about the Act forcing offices in Crosland Moor, Milnsbridge and Heckmondwike to close had been misinterpreted.

Both Mr Rogers and Kirklees Disability Rights Network said they had received complaints about the reasons for closing the offices.

"It is not wholly because of the Act that these offices are closing. The Act is only a very small part of the reason," said Mr Rogers.

"We have a lot of research which suggests our clients want more home visits and contact by telephone.

"Those are the major reasons behind closing the offices. That way, we can free up staff to man phone lines and do home visits.

"The resources are not available to serve the customers as best we can and leave the offices open."

The chairman of Kirklees Disability Rights Network, David Quarmby, said comments made about the Act were wrong.

The network represents different disability groups in lobbying for equal rights.

Mr Quarmby said: "The Act is not designed to close places down, but to offer equal services to disabled people.

"It sounded to me and many others like the Act was being used as an excuse. That is not the image it should be given.

"Now Mr Rogers is saying it is not entirely the Act's fault, which is an improvement. But it should have nothing at all to do with it.

"The truth is that they are shifting services to make them better for everyone and they can't afford to keep the offices open," said Mr Quarmby.